Back

POETRY: A Stringent Love Affair

I got your number
out of fear
of rejection

I was kinda shy at first,
pretty shy, if you must

But you—
touched me and told me
it was fine to be myself; so I was relieved

You rang me up
a bootie-call at
1 A.M the other day

You took me by the hand
by the cup, by the prayer
by the cigarette stand

You took everything away
everything but yourself; your fingers still linger
you were the best thing

My dearest love affair
how’ve you been
where’ve you gone
what you done
will you listen?

I saw you at midtown
having coffee
with your buds
the other day

I did say hi to you.

—T.A.P.V July 26, 2009